Dragons dismiss play-off chances despite success

Turner's men crushed 2008 Magners League Champions Leinster at Rodney Parade on Sunday night.

That bonus-point victory has seen the Dragons climb to fourth in the league table, just a point behind co-leaders Glasgow Warriors and Edinburgh.

But, with the top seven sides separated by just four points approaching the halfway stage of the competition, Turner is not allowing himself time to think about the Dragons' chances of securing a top-four finish.

'Talk of us making the play-offs is ludicrous, we've got a tough Chistmas period, so talk to me after that," Turner told reporters after the 30-14 win at the weekend.

But while the former Wales outside-half may be keen to talk down his team's chances of being involved in the return of the end-of-season showdown, Turner had nothing but praise for the performance of his side against Leinster, particular the efforts of his half backs and back row.

'We killed off what could have been a dangerous Leinster team. They may have been below strength, but we still had to beat them, and we were pretty convincing in the first half," added Turner.

"I was delighted with their accuracy which was spot on. I saw this in the team run and in the warm-up.

"If you have jittery half backs you haven't got a good side, but James Arlidge and Wayne Evans are playing probably the best rugby of their careers.

'Grant Webb, Dan Lydiate and Gavin Thomas were outstanding, Gavin playing like a threequarter and our first try was top drawer."